National Literacy and Numeracy Online

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:58): My question is to the Minister for Education. Does he minister stand by his statement that paper tests and online tests are comparable?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:58): The point I have made is that there was significant analysis into whether the 2018 online tests and the 2018 paper tests were comparable. The Education Council was hosted by South Australia, and I have to say that was a very enjoyable experience hosting the other ministers and bringing them to South Australia last year. South Australia also offered to host the review on behalf of the Education Council.

I understand that there is a very specific skill set in terms of analysing this data, and many of the academics in this area who have the skill set by and large have been involved, in one way or another, with ACARA or other bodies in producing this data and these tests over the years. The Education Council review of whether material is comparable or not did, in fact, go to the point of seeking academics who had never been involved. That review was undertaken and information was provided to ministers that the data was comparable.

Dr Close interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The deputy leader is warned for a second and final time.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: The deputy leader is now asking a different question because the deputy leader is now talking about the lags and dropouts we had this week. Obviously, that's something that we need to take seriously, and we will look into it.